Artist in Residence: Alchemyverse

While in residence in the Heimbold Visual Arts Center at Sarah Lawrence College, Alchemyverse will produce a new work as part of the group exhibition, Vital Forms: New Ecological Aesthetics curated by faculty member Mitchell Herrmann in collaboration with students in his fall seminar, Anthropocene Aesthetics. Alchemyverse states the following about their practice: "Our collaborative work explores the intersection of geology and contemporary life. We are fascinated by the challenge of locating ourselves within the vastness of geologic time and the ways in which our human experiences are intertwined with the earth's cycles of growth and decay."

As part of the program, Yixuan and Bicheng will offer weekly open hours enabling visitors to explore the gallery workspace and observe the development of their work over time. In addition, Sarah Lawrence faculty will be invited to schedule class studio visits to engage in conversation and observation.

Messa in Luce (Vol.1) 2022-2023
Pit-fired wild clay sonified by bone-conducting transmitters, earth substrates, table salt, field recordings of Rio San Pedro and Mina Victoria, NASA recordings of solar activities, solar irradiance on May 16th, 2022 from 11:00:00 to 16:00:00 (Kw), 3D scanned data at 22°46'07.6"S 68°04'33.8"W.
40x 192x 42 in / 610 x 488 x 106 cm

Alchemyverse was founded by artists Bicheng Liang and Yixuan Shao in 2020. The duo began their collaboration during their MFA studies in New York City. They combine their respective knowledge bases and skills in printmaking and sound studies with intensive field research to form their collaborative practice. Their practice moves across installation, printmaking, sound, ceramics, and performance through a tactile, multisensory approach.

Recent selected solo and group exhibitions include daadgalerie, Berlin; International Studio & Curatorial Program, New York; Praise Shadows Gallery, Massachusetts; Asia Art Archive in America, New York; The Bishop Museum, Hawai’i; and Lenfest Center for the Arts, Columbia University, New York, among others. Residencies include LMCC Governors Island; AAA-A Zine Residency, Brooklyn; the Rabbit Island Residency, Lake Superior, Michigan; and the Ground Floor Residency at ISCP, New York.

The Heimbold Gallery Workspace Residency Program dynamically bridges the classroom and art world by reframing our gallery space as an extension of the artist’s studio. Participating artists are provided with time, funding, student assistance and access to fabrication facilities. In this exchange, the college supports the artist, enabling them to explore new ideas, materials, and processes. Simultaneously, the institution benefits from the artist's creative contributions within an academic setting. During the course of their residency the artist will provide open hours and participate in Visual and Studio Arts programming. Classes from across the college will have the opportunity to schedule appointments (as well as walk-ins on Fridays) to engage with the artist and visit the evolving space.